Alright, I get what you’re thinkin’. The giggling, quirky blonde girl from episode four of *The Penguin* has to be Harley Quinn, right? Well, hold your horses, mate. HBO has decided to introduce a different villain from the DC universe this time. Meet Magpie — and if you’re scratching your head wondering who she is, sit tight because I’ve done the legwork through DC history for you.
**Spoiler warning: If you haven’t seen episode 4 yet, go watch it. Then come back and let’s dive in.**
So, Who Is Magpie in HBO’s *The Penguin*?
Let’s kick things off with what we actually see in the series. We don’t learn a whole lot about Magpie in *The Penguin*, apart from the fact that she’s not enjoying the star treatment like Sofia Falcone. Frankly, I’d be pretty bummed too if I were stuck in Arkham Asylum while no one seemed to give a hoot about me.
Here’s what’s on the table: she’s fixated on Sofia. Constantly calling her “Hangman” and rambling about how they should escape to the garden together or have a cuppa after all the madness. Naturally, Sofia thinks Magpie is spilling the beans to the guards and doctors, so you can guess where this is headed… Magpie ends up getting her delicate little head smashed in. Good call, Sofia! And that’s how Magpie gets her final curtain call. Marié Botha portrayed her — well, erm, portrayed her, I suppose.

**Image Alt Text**: Sofia Falcone bashing Magpie’s skull in | GadgetLad
Magpie in the DC Comics: Not Exactly a Rockstar Villain
In the comics, Magpie’s real name is Margaret Pye. She made her debut in 1983 in *The Man of Steel #3*. Initially, she was just your average museum curator in Gotham City. Then, as expected, she lost her marbles. Surrounded by all these priceless items she couldn’t take for herself, she decided to swipe them. Not exactly subtle, is it?
After a few grabs at the treasures, she… ingeniously opted to swap them out with fakes. And just to add a bit of flair, she rigged the impostor items with traps. Classy, right? She also hired some goons to help tidy up the mess. After all, every villain needs a few henchmen, right?
On one occasion in *One Night in Gotham City*, she faced the unfortunate fate of being the first villain to encounter the fists of Batman and Superman, who cornered her in the museum like a rat, and poof — off to Arkham Asylum she went.
But it didn’t stop there, did it? Nope, in *Arkham Asylum: Living Hell*, she joined forces with Poison Ivy for a breakout. She got herself out, only to meet her end at the hands of Tally Man II, who worked for The Great White Shark (another ridiculous villain name). And in true comic book fashion, Magpie returned in *Blackest Night* as a Black Lantern, which basically means she was an animated corpse on a killing spree.
Magpie: Her TV Appearances
If you think Magpie is just a one-time character, think again. She’s popped up here and there over the years. Here’s a brief overview:
– **Beware the Batman**: Voiced by Grey DeLisle, Magpie is depicted as the alter ego of Margaret Sorrow. Catchy name, right?
– **Gotham**: In the episode *13 Stitches*, she’s portrayed by Sarah Schenkkan. If you blinked, you likely missed her.
– **Batwoman**: She makes another appearance, this time under the name Rachel Matthews. Honestly, sometimes I think DC has a dartboard of secondary villains to toss into their shows.
More DC Antics You Might Enjoy
If you’re still twiddling your thumbs at work or just dodging the dishes, here are some more interesting reads to check out:
- Joker: Folie à Deux Is a Musical – Don’t Let the Creators Bamboozle You
- Spotify’s New Feature Is a Game Changer for Commuters, Seriously
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Conclusion – Magpie: The Villain You Almost Forgot
So there you go. Magpie, bless her, is one of those underrated characters who’s been beaten down, killed, brought back, and generally treated like dirt in the DC Universe. Yet if you’re a geek like me, you’ll cherish these obscure characters for the mayhem they incite.
And next time you spot a giggling blonde in a straightjacket, maybe don’t jump to conclusions and assume it’s Harley Quinn, alright?

